Drive device for ultrasonic linear motor

Abstract

This invention relates to a drive device of an ultrasonic linear motor having a rail ( 11, 42 ) and a base body ( 12, 44 ) and driving parts ( 20, 50 ) interposed between rail and base body. The base body is moved in a straight line with respect to the length direction of the rail by the driving parts. The driving parts are provided on left and right leg parts ( 12 a , 44 a ) of the base body, and the load of the base body acts almost not at all on the driving part. The driving parts have ultrasonic vibrators ( 21,52 ) and rollers ( 25, 51 ) rotationally driven by the ultrasonic vibrators. The rollers are urged by urging means ( 22, 53 ) toward and into contact with guiding side faces ( 11 b , 11 c , 42 b , 42 c ) of the rail, driving forces generated by the driving parts act on the guiding side faces of the rail, and the base body moves in the length direction of the rail.

1 . A drive device of an ultrasonic linear motor in which a rail and a base body are driven movably relative to one another by a driving part interposed between the rail and the base body, the driving part comprising: 
 at least a left-right pair of rollers making contact with side faces of the rail;    at least a left-right pair of ultrasonic vibrators for applying a turning force individually to each of the pair of rollers; and    urging means for urging the ultrasonic vibrators and the rollers toward the side faces of the rail.    
   
   
       2 . A drive device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic vibrators and the rollers and the urging means are received en bloc in a holding frame and fitted to the base body via the holding frame, and the rollers are removably mounted to the holding frame.  
   
   
       3 . A drive device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rail has an upper face for bearing the load of the base body and sloping side faces formed on its left and right side faces, the base body has opposing faces facing the sloping side faces, and the rail is gripped by the rollers, which are mounted on the opposing faces and make contact with the sloping side faces, and a bottom face of the base body.